Difficulties With Becoming An Orthodox Christian in America - Fr. Michael Oleksa
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ส.ค. 2024
- In this episode, Father Michael Oleksa of blessed memory discusses some of the difficulties that Americans interested in Orthodox Christianity encounter as they first come to the Church.
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This is the fifth episode from my interview with Orthodox writer, speaker, #storyteller, and Archpriest, Father Michael Oleksa.
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Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner.
Amen...on all of us!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
@@fnd111 Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner and save me.
Jesus, save me. Mary, help.[short, sweet, seven syllables]
Focus on a relationship with Jesus Christ
As a member of an Antiochian Orthodox church, I get services in English and Arabic. When I attend Vespers at a Romanian Orthodox church near my house, I get services in mostly Romanian with a little English. On rare occasions, I will attend services at the Greek Orthodox church in my city, so I get services in mostly Greek with a little English. When I visited the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, I got services in mostly Russian with a little English.Every moment is church is a blessing, regardless of the language.
I only wish my husband would agree as he dd at first that it would not matter the language as we felt the Lord in our midst. He has trouble with that. The language difference. I can only pray. Our spiritual director just said for him to come *both of us* He may well come around better with time? But he is giving me trouble. Makes me feel uncomfortable sometimes knowing how he feels. Prayers will go up and hopefully things new will change. The COVID lockdown did not help.
Is the Antiochian church part of the Coptic church or part of Eastern Orthodox church?
@@voievod9260 The Antiochian church is part of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The five ancient patriarchates are Rome, Constantinople, Alexandra, Antioch, and Jerusalem. I now currently attend a Serbian Orthodox Church in which we have almost no Serbs and our priest speaks Greek and English.
@@Saint_Ann I am happy for you my friend
When I converted, there was precious little available in English. A priest told me "first one must learn the language of love, and all other languages are secondary." When the local parish saw I was sincere, and not going anywhere, they adopted and loved me.
Thanks to God! It's an important lesson to learn...God blesses our obedience, humility, and love for others...
That is great, and God bless! :)
Wise words!
“The Church isn’t here to meet your needs. You’re here to meet the Church’s needs.” I just discovered this channel today and it is a great idea! Thank you for capturing pearls of wisdom and making them so accessible.
I wrote down that quote in my notes. That attitude is one of the reasons I'm converting to Orthodoxy.
Thanks to God! Glad you found us, Maria!
mariatanzania I agree. That caught my attention too.
@shadow, exactly...we’ll said. Of the Church is a spiritual Hospital, it is here to meet our needs (but not necessarily our tastes). We have free will to choose which Orthodox Churches do that best.
@@ron_grimes I agree. I have no problem with sacrificing and I understand theres no perfect parish, priest or christian . My problem is when a parish gives you most of the liturgy in a language you cant understand, when cofessing with the parrish priest its like confessing to a wall which nevers asks you to do anything about your repeated sins and when during covid they stop all contact with the laity and then they expect you to nake a reservation to be able to get confession and another to be able to attend the divine liturgy. Then you have this ecclessiological schism between russia and constantinople and the EP saying he is first without equals and you say to yourself that is why you left Rome and you want to go to a greek church cause you liked the priest but you are afraid that if you go you are breaking church canons that anathemize schismatics
I am home in Orthodoxy I love it and I am at peace but the question is, is Orthodoxy at home with itself? Is it at home with me and converts like me?
I was born and raised Greek Orthodox. I will die a Greek Orthodox Christian with faith and love in my beloved King and God. I love that the Orthodox faith has molded to a specific people and their culture. I love my Orthodox brothers and sisters from around the world. As a head alter boy I had the great honor to witness Romanian, and Coptic weddings and baptisms that needed to use our church. Even though I could not understand the language of the services it was a moving and beautiful experience. God bless us. God have mercy on us.
I attend a Greek Orthodox church in upstate New York. I wish you and your family a beautiful holiday season. God bless you all.☦️☦️☦️
"its not what you get from it, its what you put into it" sacrifice my friends,
Absolutely! Totally agree with you :) sacrifice..which is SO difficult!
"sacrafice my friends." Or "sacrafice, my friends."?
@@Lucid_Waking Sacrifice, my friends!
Outstanding!!! Well said 😃
*I find that the Serbian Orthodox Church in the U.S. to be very welcoming to Americans as they generally translate their services in English in order to accommodate your average American.*
Yes, indeed! I think all the jurisdictions are moving that way, each at its own pace!
Agreed! My home parish is OCA, and the few times I've visited Serbian parishes, I still felt at home.
Ljubavi moja. Żiva istina
@Joshua Wherley *That’s awesome....Serbs embrace newcomers in Fellowship and Prayer.....but also in their various cultural celebrations....Good People, Rustic Food, Music & Dancing..and the next thing you know, you’re at the Altar wearing your Wedding Crowns and then before you know it...you find yourself planning a Christening..😉*
@SLVBULL
*☦️KOSOVO🇷🇸JE🇷🇸SRBIJA☦️*
*.....Nema Predaje!❤️*
Great reminder of the 12 Christ chose and their shortcomings. The Holy Apostles. That is what the Lord started with but after Pentecost, these men gave all. God can transform a person. It is the hope I cling to: God have mercy on me, a sinner.
Yes, indeed...it puts things in perspective...Amen...on all of us!
Eloquent words by my old friend, Father Michael.
Abbot Tryphon
Love you both! Have both of your books 📚 what a blessing 💕Thank you
I am a reformed Baptist/Presbyterian being converted by the Holy Spirit and scripture and the great providence of my Lord who k ows how to coordinate happenings in such away as I cannot muster the faith to call coincident. I'm in the "inquiere" phase. I had to drive 1 hr and 40 min to a Greek Orthodox church. I stuck out like a sore thumb. I was the big white dude with full sleeve tattoos and everyone else was Greek. The people tripped over themselves to serve me and treated me like I was family and they were blessed I was there. I won't lie, I've had the same hospitality from Protestants too. But it erased the concerns I had about ethnicity.
Спасибо большое! С праздником братья и сестры! С Рождеством Христовым!
I love being Greek Orthodox
RADICAL GREEK.....so do I.........PATRIDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you are Greek. You would not love it if you are not.
@@fnd111 I attended a Great church where the priest speaks English and Greek does both Services for the people who don't speak Greek as well. I am 100% Greek both my parents are Greek and I lived in Greece for 17 years and now I live in the United States. It's not really hard to find an Orthodox church that teaches in English language.
@@rodouladoulos1548 ella
@@fnd111 I've done all right, and I'm not Greek. Although I did come through the OCA to GOA, so I had a little bit of a head start. I imagine if I'd gone straight to GOA I'd have been very lost, confused, and left out.
One of the best & most re-assuring theological talks I have ever heard. Thank you.
Thanks to God! Glad you enjoyed it, Joan!
I had never thought about the imperfections of the early church, but it totally makes sense. We are all sinful humans, and God helps us grow as individuals in His holy church. Thank you Father
All right - I am moving to his parish and converting to Orthodoxy! :-) One of the most inspiring and loving priests I have heard
I am proud of being Great Ethiopian Orthodox. Thanks father for nice interview
@Shadow Most likely not talking about the same kind of "pride".
You know what I hate the most? My sinfulness and when I’m so focused and enjoying every word from the father and here pops a TH-cam ad.
The Fr. was so humble yet so wise. I wish i lived near him to seek spiritual advice and just talk to him about life in general. God bless that wise priest
Beautiful message, Father.
Great video with important points regarding the Church. We live in a society filled with consumerism, and it's easy to apply these principles when we go out "church shopping"...having been raised in a Protestant church, I spent years doing this. People spend a lot of time picking out a church, much like they would when picking out a restaurant for a night out....I'm looking at coming into the Orthodox Church, but it's hard to convey to family members why I would do such a thing when they are still stuck in the "church shopping" phase, which comes as a combo with "the only thing important is my personal relationship with Jesus". Orthodoxy in the USA seems difficult because of the consumerism and individualistic culture we live in....but I pray more people give it a chance!
Christ is Risen! Indeed...Amen to that!
I’ve seen some Orthodox Churches meet the people “where they are at” like Jesus did and some who don’t care but are interested in the ethnic and language of the “old country “ and focus on these things like the Pharisees . You just have to look a bit and possibly make the sacrifices of time and distance. Yes...if the Church is truly a Hospital, it IS here to meet our needs.
Am I the only one to notice? Several times, he talks about the choice of language as being relevant to the spiritual needs of the parishioners, but then at 7:41 he suddenly changes direction and says, "the Church is not here to meet your needs, you are here to meet the Church's needs".
He's not being inconsistent,
in the former, he is referring to what kind of posture clergy ought to have towards their ministry, while in the latter he is talking about how an individual (particularly a new convert) ought to have towards the parish that is accessible to him.
Basically, if im a russian clergyman in an english speaking area- i ought to do services in english.
if im an english speaking person and the only parishes available to me are in foreign languages- i ought to learn their language so i can properly worship. Same as if i moved to China, I'd be expected to learn mandarin, rather than demand everyone in China learn english so things are easier for me.
I caught that too! But then I thought what the other commenter here said.
As we serve Him, an individual should expect his gifts from God, not from the church. It's personal. And so too the church makes it personal, by prostrating to service of the community.
@@NeanderdeOliveira But how can you not see the problem here? You cannot draw the sharp distinction you propose between "gifts from God" and "gifts from the Church" because the Church *is* the Body of Christ.
SpectatorAlius I know distinction is hard. So this is how I look at it. gifts from God are things like love, life and nature. We each other love only in as much as we receive it from God.
"Church" however is where it gets a bit fuzzy, as you say. The church ARE it's members. So receiving from the church is no different than receiving from your brother.
Another distinction, also made in this video, is that of the holy spirit. A person who has the holy spirit can perform miracles and prophecy as Christ did. We don't have that at the moment. We can be LEAD by the spirit, but actually having it is a whole other phenomena.
Otherwise said: find your church or else accomodate to the best available.
Wow. The last 4 minutes is amazing.
This is probably the best explanation of my hidden questions. I now understand. Always a pleasure listening to these videos.
Glory to God!
I m catholic from India There are so many Catholics in India and so many Spiritual Charismatic Retreat Centers in many parts of India and in other countries as well
The amazing thing about icons Father Michael is that the mistakes we see through the painting remind us of the humanity of the saints.
Most impressive. I myself, am a credentialed Baptist pastor. I am retired now, but worship and serve in an Evengelical Presbyterian Church. I identified with this fellow follower of Jesus Christ because what I witnessed was a man who spoke from his heart. He seemed to me to be the man who truly is a man who is marked with goodness and faith. My aim and prayer is for me to be as such also. Honestly, I don't know much about the Orthodox doctrines, but I do know how we are love, encourage and assist all who follow Jesus Christ. I look forwad to more insightful videos.
Kelly Dunn one orthodox priest described orthodoxy like this. Only the Orthodox Church has a full set of keys on the piano, which allows the fullness of the music to be experienced. All other denomination have less or no keys at all ie. wealth gospel teaching, etc.
Very enjoyable. As an.Ortodox convert, it is reassuring to hear a very down to earth priest talk about the Church as full of dinners trying to do better but stumbling but getting up again to start over. Thesis as process not event.
Listening to Father Oleksa has been a blessing. God knows how much I needed to hear it.
My hugs for all orthodox!
My church now uses more Romanian than English, it is not a concern for me particularly as, although I do not speak Romanian, the liturgy speaks to the soul in any human language, however, and I have noticed a decline in Non-Romanian converts and catechumens. It is a shame as my church has definitely become less ‘accessible’.
Converted in 74. This good servant of the lord speaks the truth
That was awesome! I love the father’s wisdom. Orthodoxy has a more human character not found in Traditional Roman Catholicism (Sedevacantism). This is one of many reasons why I’m pursuing Orthodoxy.
There are Traditional Roman Catholics who are not by any means sedevacantists. Actually the only group i know that would match what you say is the FSSPV.
Lots of churches have the liturgy in a book in the pews that is translated into English -- this very much helps and with time you learn. The "red book" in the Greek Churches has a column with the Greek "Romanized" into Roman letters so you can follow along phonetically while reading the English -- works very well -- I can tell you as a "Polish Orthodox" who goes to a "Greek" church.
Yes, indeed...thanks for stopping by, Ekaterini!
Polish-American lapsed Catholic here. Just found this channel, checking things out!
Great video! Thank you father Oleksa. I would like to add that it is good for converts to learn from the ‘native’ Orthodox the spirit of Orthodoxy. Just like we as Christians have to remember that we received a great deal of our faith from the Jewish people. I love the feeling of going to Greece and seeing people worshipping in a way that is so natural to them, and the Church is their home. Starting a church with only converts doesn’t sound right because you disconnect yourself from that part of the Church that is so ancient and accustomed to the life of faith.
Thanks to God! It's definitely a challenging thing to become Orthodox in the diaspora. I always encourage converts to try to get to an Orthodox country for a visit as soon as possible, so as to see Orthodoxy lived in its native context...
What a terrific homily! All future and recent converts need to see and hear this!
Orthodoxy is true the one and only way to OUR GOD AND SAVIOUR WHO HAVE CREATED THIS WORLD JESUS CHRIST THE BEGGINING AND THE END THE ALPHA AND OMEGA THE FIRST AND LAST OUR GOD JESUS CHRISTUS. PROUD TO BE ORTHODOX IN THE BEGGINING WHEN I WAS BORN THANKS JESUS CHRIST AMEN.
Father Oleksa is down to earth. It is refreshing to hear an Orthodox priest discuss these issues with common sense that everyone can understand
Such a wise minister.
This is a good and wise priest who has given a perfect presentation of what Church is about and replete with holy wisdom. And I say this as a Roman Catholic!
I am so lucky. The only accessible church in our area is an OCA (Orthodox Church of America), so ethnically it is actually American with a Russian heritage. Love my church!
What a great interview/video- thank you very much!
Father Michael Oleksa is s treasure💕
Thanks to God...he is, indeed!
Hoping Fr Michael Oleksa & Matushka Xenia can come visit us again at St Nicholas in Portland soon as these restrictions lift!
Excellent interview, he sure makes sense and many need to hear his message and take his advice, I know I will. Thanks so much, subscribed and hit the alarm.
Glory to God!
My wife is from Bulgaria. Her father is from Bulgaria. They came to Fairlawn Ohio. Saint Thomas eastern orthodox church in Fairlawn Ohio. Her father is the parish priest. Im a convert.English is our language.
Subdeacon Chris😇
I would say a major difficulty of becoming Orthodox in America and most of the West is that most Orthodox parishes are in big cities with very few Orthodox parishes in rural areas.
Father, you are a blessing. This was what I needed to hear! My husband and I are divided as of attending an Orthodox Church and he feels he does not know what is said, and yet I know Orthodox is right, and yet do not want him not happy and we need to agree as have been married 50 yrs and we do love Jesu very much. I need to relax some and my husband too knowing they are not perfect, we are not perfect and could "shop until we dropped" and would not find the "perfect" church, but 'overall' it is correct, but each will maybe express their faith a little differently. I love the Spiritual Father and my husbands' godfather has helped us and my god mother and yet we just did not understand the language. But I love the service and feel the Lord when there especially. We must 'go with the flow" and do the best possible and serve the Lord as we are led.
Carol Weaver language is ireveland the Catholic Church the mass was in Latin and never the church was not divided. I remember that Latin was so holy and for me was so saintly.
@@JudithSanchez-ht6jn That was true in the Roman Catholic church. I was Protestant and never knew about the Eastern Orthodox Catholic church until I was in my later 20's. I took my Sunday School class to the church to learn about the Orthodox church and even took them to the Jewish Temple to be shown how Jesus grew up. That is was the standard set up for the church. Coming in from the West and facing east as it was built and so much more. But of course, a separation took place even after that.
In the Book of Acts, we are given a glimpse, into more of what they did, when first setting up the Church. But in the Book of Revelation, we find the churches are having problems with pagans coming in and trying to "change things" in the wrong direction, and they must be careful it is not bringing them down. There is a limit to the changes allowed.
As it says in the bible to "go and tell the person who is doing wrong if they do not listen, take someone with you to talk with them, if that does not work, then it must be taken to the church.
We do not want Satanism to take over or anything as such. But some of the pagan things are still happening ( Not witchcraft) but dates of holidays and some of the things allowed in certain ways. But much is said in the Revelations on this. We must use our heart and mind in what we do, and how far we reach.
As years went by I became Eastern Orthodox and baptized.
As I grew up Protestant my leanings are still in that direction some, but yet I know the way it started and that the Protestant churches are not bad, they are just split off from the main church, and do not know often even about it. But missing many parts of the whole. But not bad people and we can pray for each other and grow and hope that the Lord comes and saves us before we go so far in this world in wrong way and become Sodom and Gomorrah and were getting close. God would love for us all to come back to the church and find our way. But we must not feel we are the only one who is perfect in all Jesus wants, either. I have spent many, many years searching and asking Jesus to lead me " To the one TRUE Church" It wore me out as could see good and bad and did not condemn them totally and it was confusing. Finally got very tired! lol I do think it is good to be born a CRADLE Catholic, but yet searching helps you see what each is about and what is best for yourself and what you can be at peace with knowing it is right for you. Not 'understanding the language' is 'very complicated for most people,'
@@JudithSanchez-ht6jn The aura of Heaven was n the midst. The Holy Spirit lives within us. We are the church. I have felt it too
I follow you from st Peter and Paul in Rwanda
3:21 "The right church is the one that meets the spiritual needs of the people".
7:37 "The church isn't here to meet your needs".
I agree the truth is certainly a paradox.
As a lifelong protestant investigating orthodoxy more and more I’m liking what I hear I will just listen to this guy and I love his description of the original 12 and I just forgot how messed up they really were until the Holy Spirit came
And then I man who was so full of fear he denied the Lord 3×50 days later is preaching before a large amount of people in 5000 people get saved. It will never be a perfect church as long as in perfect people are involved and have to walk in please at our pastors know what they’re doing that they are following God and we have to follow God it’s all a matter of faith and trust
Man! What a cool father!!! I keep listening Western Orthodox priests for a better understanding of my Eastern Orthodoxy. You have the sincere freshness in your words that I've always yearned for! Truly thank you! It helps me understand and cherish my faith. God bless!
I loved listening to Father Oleksa ever since I was a little kid. I'm sad to say I've become Atheist in my adulthood, but I remember I was always happy to listen to him talk when my parents/grandparents made me go to church every Sunday/Holiday at the Anchorage St. Innocent Cathedral.
"I'm sad to say I've become Atheist..." Don't go on being sad! You can change that! Go back to where you left God. Pray from your heart. No matter where you go, where you travel, even while driving the interstate - watch for Truth. Pray morning, noon, and night. Pray when you wake in the middle of the night. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me a sinner. Don't stop praying! Go to Church. Don't live your life sad.!
Thank you, this helped....I....have read the Orthodox Way, it made me laugh that you mentioned it, and I don't feel as confused and alone. The local church is Serbian, and I am wayward and fearful, I should just give them a call....when there were only 12 members, wow that really helps. Thank you Father Oleksa.
I love Fr. Michael. What an excellent commentary. He is spot on. We have great freedom as Orthodox believers to worship where we feel at home.
Thank you for this very helpful video. It gets better and better with every minute.
I agree, every time I watch it it gets better and better
Such wisdom... thank you.
Father! I follow you from st Peter and Paul in Rwanda I'm an Orthodox parish priest. I'm so happy to see your videos. You are my teacher.
There's a TON of wisdom in this video
I'm Byzantine Catholic (Rusyn). This is 500% relevant to my existence and participation. Excellent, excellent insights. Thank you, Father Michael.
This was an interview that was definitely needed, It was done in the way the Lord wanted. Thank you
Glory to God!
Memory Eternal, Fr. Michael.
I vlogged my recent experience on my page but some things aren’t what it used to be I just hope for more new young intelligent minds bringing new energy to the Faith
Find the ❤️ of Orthodoxy first and foremost, the church should help and support this. Jesus is the way and remember: my yoke is soft and my load is light. You don't choose Him, He has chosen you. Let the church find you. What Father Michael says is wise.
Great wisdom and clarity from Fr. Michael. I appreciate his words.
This is, by far, the very best description of "Christian church" (Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant) that I have ever heard! God Bless this pastor!
Wonderful thank you I needed that
the way forward is going to be something new.
Yes, retaining a few key 'traditions', values, ethics, buildings, social structures, but not being bogged down in them, and not having them such that nobody is interested !
Very wise and comforting talk. Very true and so needed for those who g he scent grown up in orthodoxy.
Merry Christmas and happy New year farter! I need your teachings
Yes! Yes! Yes!
I heard this in a TH-cam Video “ We Need God No God Needs us to make a difference in the World and in the Church that’s why God created us in his image for a purpose ! I agree 100 percent the Church Needs you thank you so much for this Video God bless you !
Thank you Thank you, beautifully said..great teachings for His Orthodox Church..Thank you Father Alexa
Thank you for your insight Father! Wishing you many years
Well-said... Thank you, Fr. Michael... 🙏
wow- love what he says starting at 7:25 ! and especially 7:36 !
In glory He is risen!!! So very thankful for any father that is willing to share what Christ has blessed him with for my thirst for the true faith, true church, and sacred mysteries handed down to one humble servant pleading to our lord for wisdom and how to live out my life in the way He left for us to do so. Praise God CHRIST IS RISEN
What an excellent video! Thank you Fr. Oleksa!
My life is better for having watched this video. What a lovely man!
Christ is Risen! Thanks to God...he is indeed!
As an Inquirer this was wonderful. Wherever I land in an Orthodox Church I will bring imperfection. Lord Jesus, Son of God. Have mercy on me, a sinner.
Beautifully said. Glory Be To God!
I really needed this today. Thank you.
Glory to God!
Just found this and subscribed. I'm a RC convert (SSPX) from Calvinism but I listen to many Orthodox teachers on the Ancient Faith app and TH-cam. Thank you.
Thanks to God...glad to have you with us!
Protecting Veil thank you
So Calvinism lead you to Roman Catholicism....Wow, talking about going the WRONG way! John Calvin will do that every time. So you went from Election to Idolatry, next stop...>CULT (Mormonism).
Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus. The Holy Roman Church, not that of the protestant Bergoglio, the F$$PX or so-called "Orthodox" schismatics !
gil.malo1743 , either way, RC or Ortho are apostate, read the KJV and not those corrupt versions to have a real relationship with GOD.
You broke it down so perfectly. Thank you.
Wow, Yes, this has been my experience completely. I truly desire to become Orthodox but feel as though I’m up against great difficulty living my area.
Christ is Risen! May God continue to guide you!
I will give you the advice a Greek monk gave to all of us in one of his lectures. Pray to Lord Jesus Christ to guide you and leave it completely to Him,He will guide you in a way that you feel His interference have no worries and doubts about that.God bless you all my orthodox brothers.
Praise God!!! Lord Son of God have mercy on all of us we all are sinners.
You my Lamp. You light my way. You highlighting things I rather you didn't!
Thank you, Father. Fifty years ago when I was in my teens a Priest explained this to me, so I really appreciate the truth and wisdom of your words. Maybe you can help me with something. When the Priest explained this to me, he spoke of a Saint who said not to worry about ethnicity in Orthodox churches in America because America is a very young country, and in time the ethnicity would die out on it's own and that's when there would be the American Orthodox Church with it's own Patriarch. This shouldn't be a concern or stumbling block, it will take care of itself. Would you know which Saint said this? Something tells me it was St. Innocent, Apostle to America, but I'm not sure. It's bothered me for decades. 🤔
Brilliant. God bless him...
We attend the Ukrainian Orthodox local church. I was born into this faith and will remain Orthodox until I die. I'm learning the language of my Babciá and praising Jesus. It's wonderful! May everyone find their spiritual home! God bless you all.
Bless you my brothers.
Christ is Risen! Thanks for stopping by!
Wow!!! Really blew my mind at the end there. What an amazing person.
The Greek Orthodox Church in America is fighting against Ethnic Membership at least at the upper levels.
I began my Journey to Orthodoxy at a Greek Church that did the Liturgy in Greek. It didn't matter that I didn't understand. I was welcomed in.
Now my life has been moved to an Antiochian Orthodox Parish and I attend service in English. I will probably be Baptized there.
There is an acknowledgment in America that there's a division in the Church upon Ethnic lines. Russians, Greeks and The Orthodox Church of America need to come together and petition for Autocephaly to Constantinople. But as long as we are divided that will never happen.
Such wisdom
Another fantastic video. Answers so many questions a new enquirer may have. Let humans be humans, how apropos..... thank you once again ....
☦️
Thanks to God! Glad you found it helpful!
Very wise words
Thank you Father excellent.
Quite possibly one of the greatest videos on the Christian Church. Illustrating issues occurred when there were only 12 members.
Language has always been a barrier to understanding
I prefer parishes that have authentic old-world culture woven into their worship regardless of which one. For me, I love any old-world culture from any other country older than America. The predominant culture in America is popular culture and the prevalent religion is Protestant Evangelical, I tend to want to avoid most of that. I love Divine Liturgy in another language to me it sounds beautiful and the fact that I don't always understand makes it a wonderful metaphor for the mystery we must embrace. It's through embracing paradox and mystery that I am able to find such beauty in the Church. I love the Church no matter the language or ethnicity because of every ethnicity has its wonderful families, foods, customs and traditions. It is so much richer than anything I have ever found in the western denominations. Perhaps it's just me but I converted 30 years ago and it's brought me so much joy, love, humility, and inner peace. I am always learning so much history, I've learned prayers and Liturgies and several different languages, have come to know the different traditions and customs of the different jurisdictions. I can't imagine ever leaving the Holy Orthodox Church.
This video was excellent! I have a whole new perspwective on things. Thank you Father Michael!
Glory to God!